View source for QF 2-pounder (40 mm)

== Description ==
<!-- ''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.'' -->
Following the 1935 budget in Britain, the Government decided to standardise the armaments employed by both the Royal Tank Regiment and anti-tank gun companies to be identical. The first tank to utilise this gun was the Cruiser Mk. I (A9) which entered service in 1938. This tank, whilst not in the game, saw service in North Africa and France alongside other tanks such as the A13.

Seeing action during the Phony War and the Retreat to Dunkirk, it was first used on the battlefield by the Belgian Army, however many of the guns that were produced had to be abandoned following the evacuation of Dunkirk. Stockpiles in Britain would eventually be distributed to the Army before they were phased out for the QF 6-pounder, and the remaining guns were sent to Home Guard Anti-tank sections across the United Kingdom.

The gun was proven to show its effectiveness against the early Panzer IIs and Panzer IIIs however it could also pierce elements of the later Panzer IVs until the E variant.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
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{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Light tanks'''}}{{Specs-Link|uk_daimler_mk_2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|uk_a17_mk_1_tetrarch}}
{{Navigation-Line|A13}}{{Specs-Link|uk_a_13_mk1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|uk_a_13_mk1_3rd_rtr}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|uk_a_13_mk2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|uk_a_13_mk2_1939}}
{{Navigation-Line|Crusader}}{{Specs-Link|uk_crusader_mk_2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|uk_crusader_mk_2_the_saint}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fr_crusader_mk_2}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Medium tanks'''}}{{Specs-Link|uk_valentine_mk_1}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Heavy tanks'''}}{{Specs-Link|uk_a_22_mk_1_churchill_1941}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|uk_a_12_mk_2_matilda_2}}

{{Navigation-End}}

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.''

=== Available ammunition ===
''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.''

=== Pros and cons ===
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.'' -->

'''Pros:'''
* High-penetrating round
* Quick reload
* Decent muzzle velocity

'''Cons:'''
* Lack of explosive filler means multiple shots could be needed to take out a target

== History ==
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The gun proved its effectiveness against early Panzer IIs and Panzer IIIs and proved effective even later against more advanced enemies where it could also pierce elements of the Panzer IVs until the E variant arrived to the battlefield.

Examinations of the gun on angled surfaces showed good results in the 1936 tests.<ref>Bird, Lorrin; Lingston, Robert (2001). World War II Ballistics: Armor and Gunnery. Albany, NY USA: Overmatch Press. p. 60</ref>

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
* ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
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* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
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=== References ===
<references />

{{Britain tank cannons}}
{{France tank cannons}}

[[Category:Tank cannons]]